Neoprene pinch rollers

[Restoration73]

A casual web search yields plenty of pinch rollers with the usual black
rubber construction on a plastic or metal roller.

Some years back I obtained some surplus car type cassette play only mechanisms, (no electronics) mainly as a source of motors and heads.
They also had neoprene (white translucent) pinch rollers.

A recent repair of an ITT RC500 radio cassette required the replacement of
the disintegrated pinch roller, and I used one of the neoprene types
mentioned, the dimensions and even the pin were the correct size.

It would be interesting to know how common they were, I am aware of those
types made specifically for reel to reel recorders. TIA

[paulsherwin]

I think neoprene is naturally grey. It is dyed with all sorts of different colours depending on the application. People are used to black pinch wheels, idlers and belts, so the neoprene is dyed accordingly.

The last time I bought a neoprene sewing machine drive belt it was black.

[DMcMahon]

Originally Posted by Restoration73

A

It would be interesting to know how common they were, I am aware of those
types made specifically for reel to reel recorders. TIA

When you say common do you mean white/translucent (Neoprene) pinch rollers for cassette decks or do you mean the cassette deck pinch rollers being a common size ?

David

[Restoration73]

I meant cassette decks but know that neoprene is more resiliant. Carbon black is easy to
add to the mix, and I suppose can also act to discharge accumulated static charges.

Fortunately there are suppliers who can offer new or rebuilt pinch rollers.